Monday, August 30, 2010

Fairy Tale Blogfest

FAIRYTALE BLOGFEST!!! This is a long post... but for a purpose and I really, really want you to read it!!! Emily had a super awesome idea over at Stepping into Fantasy. You were suppose to re-tell the story of a loveable fairy tale and make it a different genre. I think I did well. Check out the other entries (AFTER YOU READ MINE)

The REAL story of Beauty and the Beast.

Word Count: 960 words (Woohoo under 1,000)

START

All I’d wanted was a rose. We weren’t rich, but he still asked us what we wanted when he returned from his journey, I chose something we could afford, my sisters were the ones who wanted the jewelry and fine dresses, and now I’m being punished. The rose doesn't seem worth it anymore. With each gust of wind tree branches tap against the window. The scraping against the glass could be anything and I try to reassure myself that I’m alone in this room, but it’s dark and my nerves are shot.

It was my father’s plan, well more of a settling of the grounds between him and the beast, and I agreed to visit because I knew this agreement would benefit our family. At first everything had been nice, he’d bought me diamonds, gorgeous gowns and gave me my own room which was practically the size of our cottage. But then it all stopped because I’d asked to go home and see my family. Affection wasn’t his strong suit and he spent little time with me. I was desperate to give my father a hug, and ached for any type of human interaction. I had seen his anger and irritability but he had never been violent towards me. The day we fought I’d never seen the Beast so angry. His last words to me were, “You’ll never return.”

I should have left when I had the chance. I didn't always want to leave, however in the last few weeks things changed and he kept getting angrier by the day. He never slept and on occasion would venture away from the castle. When I tried to run he caught me and drug me to the corner tower where he chained me to the brick wall. He gave me such a look of anger it caused the hair's on my neck to electrify. Slapping me on the face, he said something underneath his breath before walking out and slamming the door. I jerked at the chains wanting to cool the sting on my cheek.

A small window allowed a sliver of light to fill an otherwise empty room, when the footsteps came the echo bounced off the once quiet walls. My hands are freezing but I’m unable to warm them. My legs tremble beneath my tattered dress. The last time I ate was two days ago and if he ever comes for me, or unlocks these chains, I don’t think I'll have the strength to escape.

There was a pause in the relentless wind and I heard a shuffling in the room but it was too dark to see.

“Hello?” I said. “Hello, is anyone there?” I tried to inch my body as far as I could for a better view but still saw nothing.

“Belle?” a shaky voice emerged from the darkness. “Belle is that you?”

One of my sisters called out, and heart break came over me. I didn’t understand why this happened. Why were we all being punished, none of us had done anything wrong. Was he really lonely and unhappy?

“What? How did this happen?” I wanted to see her. “It’s going to be okay, we’ll get out of here.” None of this was okay but still I wanted to comfort my sisters.

"We were so worried about you," Kat said. "We were on our way to find you when the Beast came. He was so angry. He said you wanted to come home but that wasn't part of the deal and he caught you trying to escape." Kat said with panic, "He brought an axe with him and-," she cried before she could finish.

“Kat I’m so sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say; from her voice I knew I didn’t want the details. I was helpless. He had destroyed my father and we’d soon be next. “How is Melissa?” I hadn’t even heard a whimper out of her.

“She's barely breathing, Belle, she isn't well. He stabbed her after she leapt to save dad. I stayed back like a coward.” I could hear her wheeping. I wanted to make it better I wanted to take the pain away but I knew I couldn’t. I was bound against a force larger than my own.

Before I could say anything to comfort them the door flung open. He’d returned and by the look on his face he’d brought vengeance with him. He ripped the chains off as if they were just taped to the wall then dragged me across the floor.

“No!” I screamed “Kat!” I heard Kat shriek watching her shadow turn towards me, I caught a glimpse of Melissa lying motionless on the floor. I should be scared but my only concern is how to save my family. “Please don’t hurt them!” I screamed.

I didn’t look away, if this was the last moment I wanted to look at them until I was forced not to. There had to be away to help us all. His grip tightened around my waist; I kicked as hard as I could, trying to knock him off balance. Nothing phased him. Thrasing my body trying to escape from his hold, if I could break my hands away, I could claw my way to freedom. “Please don’t hurt them.” I roared.

It was then I knew I would die. He was done with me. I refused to love him and there was no way he would allow me to love anyone else. He threw me to the ground and that is where I saw the rose. The whole reason this started.

THE END

If she likes it (which I hope she does) she will put it on her blog for voting to win the grand prize... if that's the case, you BeT your TuShY I'll be asking for your help!!! I hope you enjoyed the story! Now go visit the other entries!!!

Okay, this is so much better than the original. Because like really, who would fall in love with a beast? Thanks for the cliff hanger--I totally want to see Belle get out of this but fear she won't. Loved how you started with the rose and ended it with the rose. Totally could be a bad episode of the Bachelor too! LOL Loved it! :D

Ditto what every one else said. Great, poor, dark, and more. I would like to add, if it continues maybe they'll end up on the Dr. Phil show. 'How to handle the beast in your man.'NancyN. R. Williams, fantasy author